Remove "Phone Link" app
Overview
This script improves your privacy on Windows.
These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
This script removes the "Phone Link" app.
Known technically as Microsoft.YourPhone
1 2 3,
previously Your Phone 2 3 4 5 6 and Your Phone Companion 4.
The app links your phone and Windows PC. It allows you to share and manage content and communications across devices 5 7 8. The app lets you text, make calls, use mobile apps, get notifications, and transfer files over Wi-Fi 5 7 8.
Launched in October 2018 as Your Phone and Your Phone Companion 4, it was rebranded to Microsoft Phone Link in March 2022 4 9. Originally developed for Android 8, through collaboration between Microsoft and Samsung 8, it has extended support to iOS devices since April 26, 2023 10.
Privacy concerns arise from personal data handling, unencrypted data transfer, and potential misuse:
- No End-to-End Encryption: It is not end-to-end encrypted, raising doubts about data privacy and security during transfers 11.
- Microsoft personal data collection: Personal data, including text messages, clipboard contents, photos, and notifications, are collected by Microsoft 6. Microsoft confirms it stores and processes such data 6.
- Malicious Usage: Misuse of the app, such as setting it up on a victim's phone to monitor communications without consent 12 13, increases data leakage risks.
- Lack of Privacy Transparency: The Microsoft Privacy Statement does not explicitly clarify that personal data is relayed through its servers, leading to possible misconceptions about data handling 6 14. Microsoft's approach to privacy is criticized for lacking transparency 6 11.
- Sensitive Information Exposure: Data exposed to Microsoft, or can be received by an attacker can include sensitive information such as the content of private messages, security codes from authentication apps, caller identities, and more 6 12. This can contain personal, financial, or security-related data 6 12.
- Diagnostic Data Collection: The app collects diagnostic data, including potentially sensitive information about app usage 6.
- Account Takeover: The app could be used in account takeover attempts by intercepting multi-factor authentication notifications 12.
- Attack vector surface on Android: Android devices face more potential attack vectors than iOS devices due to internet-based connectivity 12.
This app comes pre-installed on certain versions of Windows 2 3.
Its absence may affect your workflow if you rely on its features for daily tasks. Consider KDE Connect for similar, privacy-friendly features.
Overview of default preinstallation
OS | Version | Existence |
---|---|---|
Windows 10 | 19H2 | ✅ |
Windows 10 | 20H2 | ✅ |
Windows 10 | 21H2 | ✅ |
Windows 10 | 22H2 | ✅ |
Windows 11 | 21H2 | ✅ |
Windows 11 | 22H2 | ✅ |
Windows 11 | 23H2 | ✅ |
This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.
This script is only recommended if you understand its implications. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.
Implementation Details
-
Language: batch
-
Required Privileges: Administrator rights
-
Compatibility: Windows only
-
Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script
Explore Categories
- Remove Phone apps
- Remove Windows apps
- Remove bloatware
This action belongs to Remove Phone apps category. This category features scripts for managing Windows apps related to smartphones. These scripts are for apps that connect smartphones to Windows, including dialer and other phone-related apps, even those that are outdated or replaced. The scripts aim to let users control whether these apps stay... Read more on category page ▶
This action belongs to Remove Windows apps category. This category covers the uninstallation of Windows apps. Windows apps were introduced with Windows 8 and are typically acquired and installed through the Store app. Many of these apps come pre-installed on Windows by default. Uninstalling unused or unwanted apps contributes to privacy by... Read more on category page ▶
This action belongs to Remove bloatware category. This category configures Windows using 215 scripts. These scripts are organized in 35 categories. The category includes 1 subscripts and 9 subcategories that include more scripts and categories. Read more on category page ▶
Apply now
Choose one of three ways to apply:
- Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
- Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
- Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.
Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.
You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.
privacy.sexy instructions
- Open or download the desktop application
- Search for the script name:
Remove "Phone Link" app
. - Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
- Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.
Alternative 2. Download
This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.
-
Download the script file by clicking on the button below:
-
Run the script file by clicking on it.
Download revert script
This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.
Alternative 3. Copy
This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide
-
Click on Start menu
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
-
Type cmd
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
-
Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
-
Click on Yes to run Command Prompt
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Copy the following code:
:: Uninstall 'Microsoft.YourPhone' Store app
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "Get-AppxPackage 'Microsoft.YourPhone' | Remove-AppxPackage"
:: Mark 'Microsoft.YourPhone' as deprovisioned to block reinstall during Windows updates.
:: Create "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\Deprovisioned\Microsoft.YourPhone_8wekyb3d8bbwe" registry key
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$keyPath='HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\Deprovisioned\Microsoft.YourPhone_8wekyb3d8bbwe'; $registryHive = $keyPath.Split('\')[0]; $registryPath = "^""$($registryHive):$($keyPath.Substring($registryHive.Length))"^""; if (Test-Path $registryPath) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, no action needed, registry path `"^""$registryPath`"^"" already exists."^""; exit 0; }; try { New-Item -Path $registryPath -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Host "^""Successfully created the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^""."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to create the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }"
- Right click on command prompt to paste it.
- Press Enter to apply remaining code.
Copy restore code
Copy and run the following code to restore changes:
:: Reinstall 'Microsoft.YourPhone' if it was previously uninstalled
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$packageName='Microsoft.YourPhone'; $publisherId='8wekyb3d8bbwe'; if (Get-AppxPackage -Name $packageName) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, `"^""$packageName`"^"" is already installed for the current user."^""; exit 0; }; Write-Host "^""Starting the installation process for `"^""$packageName`"^""..."^""; <# Attempt installation using the manifest file #>; Write-Host "^""Checking if `"^""$packageName`"^"" is installed on another user profile..."^""; $packages = @(Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers $packageName); if (!$packages) { Write-Host "^""`"^""$packageName`"^"" is not installed on any other user profiles."^""; } else { foreach ($package in $packages) { Write-Host "^""Found package `"^""$($package.PackageFullName)`"^""."^""; $installationDir = $package.InstallLocation; if ([string]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($installationDir)) { Write-Warning "^""Installation directory for `"^""$packageName`"^"" is not found or invalid."^""; continue; }; $manifestPath = Join-Path -Path $installationDir -ChildPath 'AppxManifest.xml'; try { if (-Not (Test-Path "^""$manifestPath"^"")) { Write-Host "^""Manifest file not found for `"^""$packageName`"^"" on another user profile: `"^""$manifestPath`"^""."^""; continue; }; } catch { Write-Warning "^""An error occurred while checking for the manifest file: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; continue; }; Write-Host "^""Manifest file located. Trying to install using the manifest: `"^""$manifestPath`"^""..."^""; try { Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "^""$manifestPath"^"" -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host "^""Successfully installed `"^""$packageName`"^"" using its manifest file."^""; exit 0; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Error installing from manifest: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; }; }; <# Attempt installation using the package family name #>; $packageFamilyName = "^""$($packageName)_$($publisherId)"^""; Write-Host "^""Trying to install `"^""$packageName`"^"" using its package family name: `"^""$packageFamilyName`"^"" from system installation..."^""; try { Add-AppxPackage -RegisterByFamilyName -MainPackage $packageFamilyName -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host "^""Successfully installed `"^""$packageName`"^"" using its package family name."^""; exit 0; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Error installing using package family name: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; throw "^""Unable to reinstall the requested package ($packageName). "^"" + "^""It appears to no longer be included in this version of Windows. "^"" + "^""You may search for it or an alternative in the Microsoft Store or "^"" + "^""consider using an earlier version of Windows where this package was originally provided."^"""
:: Remove 'Microsoft.YourPhone' from deprovisioned list to allow reinstall during updates.
:: Restore "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\Deprovisioned\Microsoft.YourPhone_8wekyb3d8bbwe" registry key by deleting it
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$keyPath='HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\Deprovisioned\Microsoft.YourPhone_8wekyb3d8bbwe'; $registryHive = $keyPath.Split('\')[0]; $registryPath = "^""$($registryHive):$($keyPath.Substring($registryHive.Length))"^""; Write-Host "^""Removing registry key at `"^""$registryPath`"^""."^""; if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $registryPath)) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, no action needed, registry key `"^""$registryPath`"^"" does not exist."^""; exit 0; }; try { Remove-Item -LiteralPath $registryPath -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Host "^""Successfully removed the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^""."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to remove the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }"
Support
This website relies on your support.
Your donation helps keep the project alive and improves its content ❤️.
Share this page: